Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Fresno is 87% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,324/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 32%
$66,804/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 27%
$348,500 ↑ 185%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 65%
$1,391/mo ↑ 68%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 40%
543,615
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $418/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $5,016/year.

Median household income is $18,129/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Fresno or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Brownsville?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $418/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Brownsville?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $18,129/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Brownsville details →

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